The Laguna Beach
Interscholastic Mountain Bike Team

Photos by Tony Zentil

The Laguna Beach Interscholastic Mountain Bike Team participated in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association race on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Vail Lake in Temecula. Three of the twelve participating team riders earned a place on the podium – Tasha Zentil, 3^rd place Experienced Girls Middle School Division; Morgan Zevnik, 5^th place Novice Girls Middle School Division 6^th Grade; and Dylan Vanek, 4^th place Novice Boys Middle School Division 8^th Grade. The course included rollercoaster style single track and fast fire road climbs. One middle school lap was approximately 3.4 miles with 300 feet of climbing. “Our goal this season was to break into the top 20, but the race results have far exceeded our expectations and we are so proud of this team,” said Team Director Tony Zentil. The team will participate in their last race in Tehachapi on Saturday, May 7, 2016. 

10th Annual Dana Point Grand Prix

Welcome to the 10th Annual Dana Point Grand Prix Sport & Family Festival 2016

New for this year, we have included an additional day of participatory events geared towards the healthy active lifestyle segment that offers a family friendly atmosphere within a unique outdoor festival sports experience. The DPGP Sport & Family Festival is hosting a unique Fan Zone Expo Village that offers vendor opportunities to intimately associate with participants in a fun leisurely environment with; food, beverages, music and up close sports action.

Now in our 10th year, the Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling has become one-of the best organized 1-day criterium races in America with top notch competition, fans and sponsors nestled within our beautiful host community of Dana Point along the majestic Pacific Ocean in Orange County, California.

Positioned between San Diego and Los Angeles, Dana Point is considered the coastal Southern California jewel with beautiful beaches, a world class harbor, excellent community amenities and some of the best hotels in the world to help your corporate brand in making important connections with enthusiastic participants.

San Clemente Christian School

Become one of the Family

San Clemente Christian School is nestled in the small beach community of Capistrano Beach, working enthusiastically to support the mission, vision, and heart of the school. SCCS continues to expand, serving grades TK through 10th (adding a new grade for high school each year) and is working diligently to secure a final home in San Clemente!

San Clemente Christian School’s philosophy brings the “boutique school” concept to life. Classes are intentionally designed to allow teachers to honor each child’s individual strengths and needs, offering only one class of students (20 maximum) per grade level and a student-to-staff ratio of 1:3. Becky Casey, a teacher of 30 years, shares that “Each child is valued and known for who God created them to be. We are truly a united family where students are taught to love, support and respect each other. It is not just about test taking or memorizing facts; it’s about challenging our students beyond what they believe they can accomplish! One of my favorite comments from a parent was that every student gets to be a star here—that’s exactly the point!” 

The staff is excited about the growth and development of SCCS’s preparatory Middle and High School Programs, offering a positive, safe, and challenging alternative to other educational options in the community. In a time when students are faced with enormous pressures and challenges, the school creates and environment where students can “develop his or her giftings, thrive, and truly be themselves through mentorship and hands on experiences.”

San Clemente Christian School’s academic approach is described as Full S.T.E.A.M. ahead—science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Assistant Principal, Rebecca Romo shares, “We are firm believers in giving our students a competitive edge and provide every opportunity for them to be academically and practically prepared to succeed now and in the future—to encourage problem-solving, critical thinking, discovery, creativity, exploratory learning, and active engagement across all subjects.” SCCS promises a rich, balanced experience with weekly student-led chapel services, academic competitions, a surf club, field trips to Science Camp, Catalina Island and Washington, D.C. and mission trips for families and students alike. In addition, the entire student body is exposed to art, science labs, Greek, Latin and Spanish language classes. Dr. Magnuson asserts, “The potential of our students is boundless, and we want to support that amazing potential.” The school is equipped with state-of-the-art technology in every class; Smart Boards, laptops and iPads are used as powerful tools to support real world instructional experiences that ultimately enhance each student’s unique learning process.

It’s clear that teachers and staff firmly believe that students have the potential to be leaders in our world today, no matter the age! Leadership instruction at San Clemente Christian School is woven into daily instruction, across subject matter, and throughout all grade levels. This leadership program is based upon four cornerstone ideas which comprise a model called P.A.C.E—Prepare for the future, Acquire a servant’s heart, Connect to communities, organizations and global issues, Energize youth to make lasting change. Dr. Magnuson shares, “Many parents ask me why and how we are different from other schools. Of course our teachers are highly educated and credentialed, and we have amazing new curriculum and technology. But that is not why we are different. We choose to be here to impact our student’s character in a way that has lasting impact on their lives. We want every single student to know without a doubt that they are beautifully made, priceless, valued, and amazingly capable!”

Learn more about San Clemente Christian School’s mission, vision, academic curriculum and programs at SanClementeChristianSchool.com

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Chronic Tacos

Mexican Grill

by Claire Cote

I’m always on the prowl for the perfect taco. Meat or fish marinated to tender perfection, melty cheese, crisp lettuce, fresh avocado, all wrapped inside a fragile tortilla. It’s somehow the perfect food. It’s quick and simple and always a good idea. Lucky for me, Chronic Tacos serves up a mean version. And the best part is… it’s DIY. Another best part? They don’t just have tacos.

A stone’s throw from Doheny State Beach and minutes from the Dana Point Harbor, this taco shop offers authentic-style Mexican food presented as a skeleton menu of tacos, burritos, salads and bowls. It’s the choose-your-own-adventure of food. Want a salad topped with grilled chicken, fresh lettuce and tomato? Go for it. Have a hankering for a burrito bursting with beans, rice and cheese? You got it.

On a recent visit I sampled Chronic Taco’s new meatless option, Carne Vegano, which is completely natural plant proteins seasoned and sautéed. Versatile enough to fill a burrito or top a salad, it’s light and tasty — the perfect option for a meatless diner and delicious enough for even meat-lovers. I also enjoyed the mahi-mahi taco, prepared with creamy Baja sauce, spicy pico de gallo and fresh cabbage. It’s a marvelous mouthful.

One of 25 locations in Southern California, the Dana Point joint also boasts a large patio (pet-friendly!) over-looking PCH, as well as a selection of beer on tap, from Lagunitas IPA to Bud Light. The restaurant’s produce is prepared fresh daily and the mahi-mahi is beer-battered or sautéed to order. With breakfast and lunch served all day, it’s an ideal stop before heading down for a day on the water.

Chronic Tacos dishes out weekday specials that are hard to beat. Monday Madness features a burrito, chips and a drink for a mere $7.99. Taco Tuesday delivers $1.99 tacos and Wednesday Unwrapped offers customers a choice of salad or tostada bowl and a drink for $7.99. They also serve hand-burritos, for smaller appetites, nacho french fries (exactly what it sounds like!) and flaky churro bites for dessert. Chronic Tacos is quick, delicious, and easy on the wallet. Fellow taco hunters, look no further.

Light Up the Lantern District Parade of Lights

NEW! Light-Up the Lantern District Bicycle Parade of Lights: 

An exciting & fun celebration of lights on bikes promoting, safety, fun & family on the race course beginning at 8pm on Saturday night, April 30th. This is an exciting and fun event that hopes to become a Lantern District tradition every year at the Dana Point Grand Prix Sport & Family Festival. Sign-Ups will be located at Dana Point Hardware on Del Prado Ave between Ruby & Amber Lantern Streets, 24422 Del Prado Ave #5 beginning at 5pm on Sat 4/30.

First 500 registered riders will receive a FREE light kit to apply on their bicycle courtesy of Cycleogical Bike Shop in Dana Point, 34102 La Plaza, Dana Point, CA 92629. Phone (949) 542-4777.

BE SEEN!

Promote yourself as a responsible cyclist that wants to be recognized as an individual with style, and…VIBE!

Come ride your bikes up and down closed-off Del Prado Ave FREE with friends and family. Along with getting free safety lights from the DPCCF and Cycleogical, decorate your bike with lights from Dana Point Hardware! Come early and watch Professional Cycling Criterium races, think NASCAR on bikes, or catch the FREE concert with food and beverages. Come to your favorite Lantern District restaurant or catch the latest gear at Killer Dana Surf Shop ahead of your ride. Something for the entire Family, make a night of it…EXPERIENCE the Experience!

Acting Academy for Kids

It’s time to watch your star shine!

When Stephen and Maggie Zygo opened Acting Academy for Kids in 2008 at the Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano, they wanted to create a fun, positive environment for kids where they felt like part of a family. For Stephen, acting has always been a family business. He performed in his first musical, Peter Pan, with his brother, J. Michael Zygo, in elementary school. As the Zygo family grows, with the birth of their 2nd child, Jesse, on March 19th, so has the success and expanded offerings at the Academy.

The Zygos both have Masters Degrees in education and use their substantial experience as educators to inform their teaching philosophy. Acting Academy for Kids (AA4K) only employs teachers who have spent significant time in a classroom setting, with professional credentials in the industry. According to Stephen, “Other schools will bring in high-profile performers from Broadway or West End musical theater gurus, but that does not necessarily translate into competency in the classroom.”

Acting Academy for Kids is a full-service, performing arts academy for kids ages 4 to 17, with classes in acting, voice, musical theater, and its newest addition, film. This year’s Spring Film Project, the restaurant-themed Family Style Dinner, introduces students to “the vernacular of being on set,” complete with auditions, callbacks, and time on camera. Young actors are supported by a Hollywood crew led by
writer/director Brian Stevens, and receive professional Internet Movie Database (IMDB) credits, along with their own acting reel. The movie premieres at a red-carpet extravaganza at San Juan Capistrano’s Regency Theater on the silver screen.

The film program extends into the summer with the launch of AA4K’s four-week Film Academy. Kids in each week-long camp will have a blast producing their own short film that will be showcased at a gala screening at the Regency Theater in front of family, friends and the SJC film community.

In addition to the new film camp, every summer the Academy hosts its popular ten-week Musical Theater Camp, featuring weekly themes such as Be a Star War, Jungle Book Adventure and Minions. Students ages 4 to 13 take multiple classes in music, acting, and dance, culminating in a Friday afternoon performance on the Playhouse mainstage.

The musical theater program continues throughout the school year and is currently  taking registrations for a family-friendly version of Alice in Wonderland. AA4K presents four Broadway musicals a year, allowing students to perform in an authentic playhouse equipped with professional sets, lighting, and sound.

Acting Academy for Kids is fast becoming a hub for the arts in South Orange County, while still remaining an integral part of the local scene. The Academy has even added a professional recording department, Academy Voice, where sound engineer Kevin Spiro assists students in creating professionally produced music.

As AA4K is in the midst of exciting new developments and opportunities, Stephen reiterates that his focus will always be on the kids. “Most of the fourth graders who started with me back in 2008 are now graduating from high school,” says Stephen. “It’s so awesome to watch alumni graduate and come back to the Academy either as employees or volunteers. That’s incredibly fulfilling. This Academy is about the joy we bring into their lives. At the end of the day, it really needs to be fun.”

Whether kids have a passion for acting or are just testing the waters, Acting Academy for Kids creates a supportive, fun environment where students of all ages can gain confidence, build teamwork skills, and discover the joy of performing.

For more information on Acting Academy for Kids’ summer camps, film academy, classes, satellite programs, and participation in the musical Alice in Wonderland, visit ActingAcademyForKids.com.

Acting ACADEMY for Kids   |   Ages 4-17   |   ActingAcademyForKids.com   |   949.427.0072

El Adobe de Capistrano

El Adobe de Capistrano invites you to stay awhile.

Relax, let the attentive staff take care of you, and enjoy a break from the daily grind with a classic margarita, glass of wine, or your favorite beverage. Wood paneled ceilings, iron railings, and tall, airy windows create a warm, gracious ambience that captures the essence of old world hospitality.

Those familiar with the local area need no introduction to the restaurant’s rich history. El Adobe was a favorite spot of former President Richard Nixon during his administration. It’s said that the Mexican dishes prepared exclusively for him by the chef inspired the restaurant’s transition from continental to Mexican cuisine. Located in the heart of San Juan Capistrano, one block from the Mission and Los Rios Historic District, El Adobe has been recognized as a California State Historical Landmark. The walls forming its cocktail lounge were once part of the original Miguel Yorba Adobe.

Chef Carlos Gutierrez sources only fresh, top quality ingredients, which is evident in his dishes. We started our lunch with light and crispy chips and El Adobe’s irresistible salsa and addictive guacamole. The house guacamole was prepared tableside with whole avocadoes spiced to our liking – mild, medium, or hot – then swirled with a fork and topped with queso fresco. We also sampled the Ceviche, beautifully seasoned to allow its natural ocean flavors to shine through. 

Main course portions are generous and come with tortillas, rice, and either pinto, black, or charro beans, a delicious vegetarian option made with fresh tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. The Fajitas are a customer favorite, served sizzling on a cast iron skillet in a savory marinade that highlights the meat’s flavor and tenderness. The tasty Carne Asada, 8 ounces of mesquite grilled Top Sirloin, came drizzled with zesty Argentinian chimichurri sauce, a colorful assortment of crisp, steamed vegetables, and fluffy Mexican rice.

For dessert, the Sweet Plantains in bourbon caramel sauce was the height of decadence. The Caramel Churros, always a big hit with kids, were a sweet, crunchy treat filled with creamy caramel, coated in cinnamon sugar and served with a scoop of ice cream. 

Along with its extensive menu, El Adobe features catering and banquet options that can be customized to meet your individual needs. Multiple private dining rooms and an inviting covered courtyard make it a preferred venue for special events and weddings.

31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
(949) 493-1163 | ElAdobeDeCapistrano.com

PTA Coffee Break presents Sabrina Schuck, Executive Director of UC Irvine’s Health Child Development School on Wednesday, March 16 from 8:30-10:15 a.m. at Hotel Laguna.

An Assistant Professor in Residence in the Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology & Social Behavior at UCI, Dr. Schuck will give parents tools and provide parenting techniques found to be most effective in helping children build resilience, be more self-reliant and overcome social challenges.  Her discussion is designed to help all parents understand and use those strategies thought necessary for improving self-regulation, empathy and social-engagement in their children.

Coffee Break is a monthly program organized by the Laguna Beach PTA Council’s Parent Education Committee.  It is supported by generous donations from Mission Hospital, Laguna Beach PTA and Council and individual community members. The ideas expressed at Coffee Break do not necessarily reflect those of LBUSD of PTA.  For more information visit: www.gotocoffeebreak.com.

Hotel Laguna is located at 425 South Coast Highway.  A suggested donation of $10.00 is requested at the door.  Coffee and pastries are provided.

Orangetheory Fitness

Orangetheory Fitness in San Clemente opened its doors less than a year ago, and already has become a community hub where people of all ages and backgrounds come to get healthy in a positive, high-energy environment.

Owners Dusty and Staci Dial, who live in San Clemente with their five-year-old daughter, were introduced to Orangetheory Fitness by their friend Marc Thomas, who owns studios in Newport Beach and Laguna Niguel. Dusty and Staci opened their first studio in Rancho Santa Margarita, followed by their San Clemente location in March 2015.

“We wanted to create a place where people would be able to come in and just forget about their problems for an hour,” says Dusty, “and after one of these workouts, with the energy you’ve used, and the endorphins you’ve created, you’re in a fantastic mood.”

Each 60-minute class provides “personal training in a group setting,” combining the benefits of a certified personal trainer with the fun, motivating atmosphere of a group class – an approach that’s unique in the fitness industry, and among the many reasons Men’s Journal rated Orangetheory Fitness the #1 workout on “The 20 Best Workouts in America” list.

Created by Ellen Latham in 2010, Orangetheory is a science-based, full body workout that utilizes the principles of high intensity interval training (HIIT), and excess post exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). HIIT incorporates short bursts of super-high intensity effort for 1-2 minutes at a time, ensuring that 12-20 minutes of an hour-long class are spent in the heart rate zones proven to achieve EPOC – a state of oxygen deficiency that forces the body to burn more calories to equalize the loss.

Orangetheory Fitness’s logo of a fat cell exploding says it all. A typical class burns an average of 500 to 1000 calories and creates a metabolic increase, through EPOC, that allows you to keep burning calories at a higher rate over the next 24 to 36 hours. In other words, you’re able to reap the rewards of afterburn from an Orangetheory Fitness workout long after you’ve left the studio.

Participants receive heart rate monitors that calculate their maximum heart rate based on age, weight, and sex. They then choose the workout intensity that is right for them according to their fitness level. “You could have a 90-year-old woman working out next to an NFL player and they’ll receive the same benefits of the workout because they’re working to their own fitness level,” says Dusty.

Orangetheory Fitness uses a multi-faceted attack, alternating between treadmill, indoor rower, and resistance training, including free weights, TRX straps, an ab dolly, and body weight. Classes emphasize endurance, strength, or power – and with over 550 exercises in Orangetheory Fitness’s library, there are thousands of combinations to choose from, guaranteeing that no two classes are exactly alike.

Each class is led by a certified personal trainer who has gone through a rigorous selection process. New members arrive 30 minutes early in order to receive their heart rate monitor, watch part of a workout, and spend time with their trainer getting acquainted with the equipment. From that moment on, their personal trainer is always on hand, making corrections to form or providing an alternate version of an exercise, if necessary.

Benefits include weight loss, greater muscle tone and strength, increased endurance, and a marked improvement in overall health. “The best part of this business,” Dusty says, “is seeing people’s lives change. We’ve had people come in with Type 2 diabetes, and after a couples of months their doctors are wondering how they are improving their conditions.”

People typically start to feel better within the first few weeks, and it takes about four to six weeks to start seeing visual changes. “Give it at least three days a week for six weeks,” says Dusty, “and you’ll never go back!”